To continue our discussion from May 22. Here are several additional options and considerations you may find appealing.

CRATs and CRUTs

The donor may determine how the income interest will be calculated with a CRT. There are two types of CRTs: the charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT) and the charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT). The CRAT is designed so that the actual dollar amount distributed to the donor (and/or the other persons the donor designates) are fixed when the trust is created and funded. Generally the predetermined annuity amount will not change no matter how the trust assets fluctuate in value. A CRAT can be appealing to the donor who needs a specific amount of income and who is concerned about a change in income payments.

A CRUT is designed so that the amount distributed to the donor is recalculated each year based on a fixed percentage of the trust’s fair market value for that year. Unlike the CRAT, the CRUT is not a fixed annuity payment. The fixed percentage will not change; however, the amount that the donor receives can fluctuate. If the CRT performs well and the trust assets increase in value, so will the income interest payment, which is calculated as a fixed percentage of the increased trust value. However the reverse is also true, and if the trust decreases in value, the income interest will also be affected. A CRUT is appealing for the investment-minded donor who wants to benefit from increased income payments resulting from the long-term appreciation of the trust assets. There are various types of CRUTs, which should be explored in greater detail before the client makes a final decision.

A disadvantage of using a CRT for art is that because art is personal property, the income tax deduction may be limited significantly. In addition, when a charitable contribution consists of a future interest in tangible personal property, no deduction may be taken until all interests and rights to possession or enjoyment of the property have expired or are held by a person other than the donor (Sec. 170(a)(3)).

The tax benefits of transferring art to a CRT and later selling it include avoiding the capital gains tax on the sale of the asset and removing the underlying value of the asset from the donor’s taxable estate. Of course, the reason that the art is removed from the taxable estate is that it is no longer owned by the donor. For that reason, some donors couple the use of a CRT with what is known as an irrevocable life insurance trust. When used together, these tools replace the art’s value and keep that value out of the donor’s taxable estate.

Trusts

The client may also choose to make a gift (lifetime or at death) of the art to family members in trust.If the client wishes the art or collection to stay with intended beneficiaries, he or she can establish an irrevocable trust and transfer the collection to it. That will protect the assets from the creditors of the beneficiaries and preclude its value from being taxed in the client’s estate. If doing so, it is advisable to add enough funds to that trust to insure and maintain the art. Choosing a trustee must be carefully considered as the trustee or trustees will have the continuing ability to manage the trust assets, including the art.

Fractional Interests

A gift of a fractional interest in art should also be considered. However, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) greatly limited the value of this strategy. Until passage of the PPA, a collector could donate a fractional interest in a work of art to a museum that qualifies as a charitable institution. Collectors did so for many reasons, one of which was that they could take a tax deduction for the value of the fractional interest. For example, if a collector donated a 50% interest in a painting to a museum, he or she could write off half the value as a charitable deduction. The painting would spend half the year in the donor’s possession and half the year in the museum’s. Unfortunately, this led Congress to be concerned that collectors may have been abusing the write-off by enjoying more than their rightful share of the art. For example, if a collector donated 50% of the art but kept it for more than six months a year, the public would be losing out on the painting’s availability during the excess period.

To address this perceived abuse, Congress changed the law to make donations of partial interests in artwork much less attractive for donors. Generally, before the PPA, the collector would bequeath the remainder of the fractional interest to the museum so the collector’s estate would take a charitable contribution deduction for the remaining current fair market value at the time of the collector’s death. But the PPA changed the law to require that the write-off be based on the art’s value at the time the original fractional interest was donated if the art appreciated in value, rather than on its value at the time of the collector’s death. If the art’s value has appreciated in that period, as it typically does, the law will reward the collector by reducing the amount his or her estate could take as a deduction for the donation and thus increasing the estate tax liability.

Consider the example of a painting worth $1 million when the collector first donated 50% to the museum. The collector bequeaths the remaining 50% of the painting when she dies, at which time it is worth $10 million. Under the old rule, the painting would pass to the museum and the estate would take a $5 million charitable contribution deduction. Under the new law, her estate may only deduct $500,000 and the estate would have to pay taxes on $4.5 million more than it would have under the old law.

The PPA also introduced recapture rules (deductions turned back into taxable income) that further reduce the desirability of contributing a partial interest in art. If the collector fails to donate the balance of the art to the museum on or before the earlier of 10 years of the original gift or the collector’s death, the collector will be forced to recapture the deduction. In addition to paying income tax and interest on the recaptured amount, the collector must pay an additional 10% tax on it. This essentially requires the collector to donate or bequeath the remaining fractional interest or lose the tax benefit of the original gift.

Conclusion

If the client has valuable art, it is important that he or she assemble a team of advisers that understands how to deal with it. The team may include an attorney, financial adviser, tax specialist, and an art succession planner. It is wise to make sure that the team members know the extent and value of the art and how the client intends to dispose of it so that it can properly be taken into account when establishing a financial and estate plan.

The decisions and choices as to how to preserve the legacy of artwork should be thought through with care and involve a discussion with the client, the intended beneficiaries, the charitable organization, and the team of advisers.

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

The Euromoney Legal Media Group chose Patricia Annino, Chair of Prince Lobel’s Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group, to receive the prestigious “Best in Wealth Management” award at the second annual Americas Women in Business Law Award ceremony held May 24, 2012, in New York City.

Selected from a short-list of eight well-known, highly-qualified nominees, Patricia’s award was based on extensive peer review research conducted by Euromoney’s research team, her professional accomplishments during the past 12 months, and her advocacy and influence in the field of wealth management.

Following the success of similar award ceremonies in Europe and Asia, the Americas Women in Business Law Awards was launched by Euromoney Legal Media Group to give law firms and professional services firms the recognition they deserve for their efforts in helping women advance in the legal profession.

Patricia Annino is a nationally recognized expert on estate planning and taxation, with more than 25 years of experience serving the estate planning needs of families, individuals, and owners of closely held and family businesses. She speaks regularly on many issues of concern to family owned businesses, including succession planning, risk management, managing a business with multiple stakeholders, the risk of divorce, and more. Annino is a graduate of Smith College and Suffolk University School of Law.

Patricia is the author of two widely utilized professional texts: Estate Planning in Massachusetts, and Taxwise Planning for Aging, Ill, or Incapacitated Clients. Patricia’s recent books for consumers include, Cracking the $$ Code: What Successful Men Know and You Don’t (Yet),Women in Family Business: What Keeps You up at Night, and Women & Money, A Practical Guide to Estate Planning.

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

I recently read an article in the New York Times (read article here: http://nyti.ms/Kp9yct) about a study using Psychedelic Drugs to help patients cope with facing death as the result of a life-ending diagnosis, like cancer. In the article it indicated that these end-of-life researchers only included otherwise healthy patients, those with no indication of mental illness, in the study.

These drugs are also being examined as treatment for alcoholism and other addictions. While I can see the advantages of such treatment for those facing the end of their lives due to grave illnesses, it also makes me very aware of how this might affect the ability for someone to consider and finalize their estate planning needs at a time when they are not only facing their own demise, but while under the influence of psychedelic drugs.

Could this open up their decisions to scrutiny after their death? Even though they are otherwise considered of sound mind, does this open the door for others to challenge a person’s Will or other estate planning functions finalized after such diagnosis, and while using psychedelic drugs.

I am an advocate for putting your affairs in order early on, long before you might be facing something like this, but the reality is, even if plans had been made, depending upon the individual situation, such a diagnosis could cause someone to rethink or alter their plans.

It seems like we would need to take some sort of extra steps during this process to make sure we can forego any challenges that could or would be made to change your final wishes. I’m not exactly sure what that might look like, how we could provide verification of your ‘sound’ mind at such a time.

What do you think? Leave your comments or questions below and expand the discussion!

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

As Mother’s Day approaches, I am reminded of those times when I was just not sure of what to give my Mom on her special day. I recall a time when I helped get her estate planning and affairs in order, and how much she appreciated the peace of mind that it allowed her once the process had been completed. Now that she has Alzheimer’s disease I am very glad we had that conversation and she had the ability to put her affairs in order. I am also glad we had the opportunity to discuss what type of care she wanted and how that should be managed.

Whether you’re looking to support your Mom, or get your own house in order, take this time to make sure that, much like you normally focus your time as a Mom making sure that everyone else is protected and safe throughout the year, that you and yours are, too, as it relates to your estate planning needs.

It reminds me of what the flight attendants say every time the plane takes off, if the barometric pressure changes and the oxygen mask drops from the sky, put the mask over your own face first…it is only when you do that, and protect yourself, that you can know that you are strong enough to protect the others you by instinct protect.

What a wonderful gift to you and your family at a time when we pause to honor you on Mother’s Day.

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

Ben Franklin once said that fish and houseguests smell after three days. But what if the houseguest co-owns the house? The perils of the vacation home, what to do with it, who should own it and what the rules are can be a source of family satisfaction and family conflict.

Under current law, the 2012 federal gift exemption is $5,120,000. Since many parents and grandparents are uncertain of their economic future, they may not want to gift assets that still earn income. Nor do they want to give away assets that have a low income tax basis that may be sold in the future. For these families, the vacation home is an attractive asset to consider gifting.

Gifting the vacation house to the next generation, or to a dynasty trust for the benefit of subsequent descendants, can remove that home (and any appreciation in its value) from the taxable estate. But before heading down that path, homeowners must carefully consider how that home will be owned post transfer. We will explore three options: (i) outright ownership, (ii) an irrevocable trust (which could be a dynasty trust), and (iii) a family limited partnership or a limited liability company.

Outright Ownership

Often, the choice of making an outright gift of the vacation home is not appealing, whether the next generation owns the property as tenants in common, or as joint tenants with a right of survivorship. Many states have the right to compel a sale of that asset through a court proceeding, so the ownership of the home may be divisible in a divorce and subject to that family member’s creditors.

Also, family issues and resentments may develop with co-ownership. The child who lives out of state and never uses the home may resent sharing the expenses. Plus, with each generational transfer, the ownership becomes more fractionalized and the ownership of the asset is included in the taxable estate of each subsequent generation. There could also be conflict, such as who uses it the week of July 4th? Who pays for maintenance? Should rent be charged to cover expenses?

Irrevocable Trust (could be a dynasty trust)

A more appealing option for many families is transferring ownership of the home to an irrevocable trust. To complete the gift, the trust must be irrevocable, meaning that the donor cannot retain the ability to change, amend, or revoke its terms. The art of drafting an irrevocable trust is to remember that life is a movie not a snapshot, and that the document, while irrevocable, must also be flexible enough to contemplate the future.

The trust should address what happens to the child’s share at his or her death, whether or not the child’s spouse or stepchildren can continue to use the property in a divorce, or if the child predeceases his or her spouse. It should also address who is responsible for paying expenses, the line of succession of trustees, how the home should be furnished or updated, whether nonpaying guests may use the property, and who sets the rules for using the property.

Reasonable rules include who can use the property and when, the process for how that determination is made, whether use can be exclusive or must be open to all families all the time, payment of operating expenses, noise, cleanliness, pets, number of people, who pays for landscaping, parking, whether the property can be rented to nonfamily members, and other issues affecting the use and enjoyment of the property. The trust document can also address who has the right to determine the operating reserve and when income and/or principal may be distributed to the beneficiaries.

It may be also helpful for the donor to state intent – perhaps the use of the property is not intended to be equal, but based on relative degrees of interest in and ability to enjoy the property, and to take into account relative contributions (financial or otherwise) to its maintenance and improvement.

The document may also include a buyout provision by which one beneficiary (or beneficiary’s family) can sell his or her interest to other family members. Many families do not allow family members to cash out of their share in the home. An advantage to restricting what a family member can do to convert his or her share to liquid funds provides additional creditor protection and also helps keep that interest out of the taxable estate of subsequent descendants.

The trust should also address the mechanism by which a decision can be made to sell the home – should a decision that important be left only in the hands of the trustee? Should it include the trustees and all adults in the next generation? Should the vote be by majority or unanimous? The tension in that choice is that one family member who wants to use it more than others may block the sale for personal gain.

It is important to fund the trust with enough liquid assets to cover ongoing expenses and trustees. Future family discord might be avoided if family members who do not use the property are not expected to help cover its expenses. The funding can occur during the donor’s lifetime or at his or her death, through the donor’s estate plan. Once the property is transferred to the trust, the trustees should ensure that the property has sufficient property and casualty insurance coverage.

The trust document should also address the duration of the trust. It could end at a certain date, when the underlying asset is sold, when the trustees decide to end it, when the trustees and all adult beneficiaries agree to end it, when the Rule Against Perpetuities Period ends it, or if it is governed by a state that does not have any Rule Against Perpetuities, then it may never end.

Family Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Company.

A third choice is transferring the home to a family limited partnership or limited liability company, where the terms of the operating agreement control how the property is used. These entities are more businesslike than a trust, as they are members or partners. They offer the same benefits of the irrevocable trust, but may be more flexible. The operating agreement can provide a mechanism that allows it to be amended. If the entity is underfunded, the manager or general partner can make a capital call on the owners to contribute additional funds to the entity. As with the trust, the agreement will appoint a manager or management committee. The ownership structure can have two classes- voting and nonvoting. The transfer of ownership through sale or gift can be restricted.

Another benefit to gifting in this manner is that the valuation of the gift may have additional leverage and qualify for minority discounts or lack of marketability discounts. If the gift is not made all at once – but rather over several years – then all gifts are made off the record of the respective Registries of Deeds. In other words, the transfer to the entity is recorded initially, but ensuing gifts are transfers of the units or shares in the entity and are done within the entity itself, not in the Registry. This can save annual recording fees. Additional benefits include income tax consequences in that each owner may have the benefit of the income and deductions flow through to his or her individual income tax returns.

Summary. Gifting the vacation house this year while the federal exemption is so high may be a very wise move. It is important for clients to think through their choice of entity and the considerations mentioned above before making this irrevocable decision.

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com

A significant advantage of financial literacy is that it can save the donor in estate tax depending on the type of gift made to institutions. It is important for donors to realize that inaction is involuntary philanthropy. That is, what donors pay in taxes to the federal and state governments is spent by the government as it wishes on programs of its choosing.

So when donors pay taxes or give money without exercising any specific influence, they have engaged in de facto involuntary philanthropy. That involuntary philanthropy can be at least partially converted to voluntary philanthropy by donating part of what the government would otherwise receive to charities of the donor’s choosing for purposes of the donor’s choosing.

Once donors realize that they have engaged in involuntary philanthropy, they are often motivated to consider philanthropic gifting. In other words, when the donor makes a private charitable gift and receives an income tax deduction for that gift, then the government loses part of its share of revenue and those funds are instead redirected to the specific philanthropic causes of the donor’s choosing.

Making an institution the beneficiary of a tax deferred retirement plan is the most tax efficient way to leave money if assets are greater than the federal estate tax exemption, as the charitable institution will receive the funds free of both estate and income tax. (Ann Kaplan. 2010.”Philanthropic Planning” Smith College, October 20, presentation).

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

In my 25 years of working with families on their estate plans, many parents have raised the issue of what to do when a child or grandchild struggles with substance abuse. With the recent death of Whitney Houston and her connection to substance abuse, it reminds me of what this means during the estate planning process. These parents are heartbroken and need guidance on how to address this difficult situation in their estate planning documents. Substance abuse – whether it’s alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal narcotics – affects many of the families we advise. As a result, we developed a list of questions for families to consider when designing their estate plan:

Has the beneficiary ever been diagnosed with a mental illness?

Is the beneficiary having a particularly hard time – is divorce on the horizon? Has he lost his business? Does he gamble?

What is his relationship with other family members?

Who does he trust?

Who is giving him money?

Is he eligible for government assistance?

Who is paying his health insurance?

Is he employed? For how long? What types of jobs?

Has he ever been treated for his addiction?

Is he a member of Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar organization?

Do these issues run in the family?

Has there been a family intervention?

Is he open to counseling? Has this topic been addressed?

Where is he living? Can he live alone?

I have noticed that substance abuse often masks other underlying mental health issues, including undiagnosed or untreated schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. That these issues are often part of a larger family pattern makes having the discussion much more difficult, but much more essential.

Families in Conflict

An addicted child may have already taken a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll on the entire family. Parents who find it difficult to handle this child become increasingly disturbed when they consider who would step in if they are unable or unavailable. This helplessness often leads to anger, frustration, and conflict.

One parent may want to cut off the beneficiary while the other parent cannot consider doing so. One parent may want to kick the child out of the home, while the other parent believes that doing so would make matters worse. These conflicts add stress to their marriage and the family at large.

Grandparents may have different opinions than the parents. Siblings may already be resentful of their addicted sister or brother. In many families, the troubled child has already received significant emotional and financial assistance. His troubles have already taken center stage at the dinner table. His presence in the home and attitude toward the family may have already created constant disruption.

Estate Planning Tools and Options

As complex and emotional as these issues are, families must address them. And they will welcome having an impartial, yet compassionate advisor to provide guidance, suggestions, and choices.

One planning tool for parents to immediately consider is for that child to designate them as the agent under his health care proxy and his attorney in fact under the durable power of attorney. Without these documents, HIPPA will prohibit the parents from being involved with his treatment. Also, these documents give parents legal access to his health and financial records, which could be extremely important if it becomes necessary to apply for government benefits.

Inevitably, an estate planning discussion will include disinheritance. In my experience, this is a subject frequently discussed and rarely implemented. No matter how angry and frustrated they are, parents still want to provide some sort of safety net for their child.

This pressure to disinherit the troubled child may come from the sense that he has already taken more than his fair share of the family’s resources, possibly at the expense of the other, more responsible children. As the family’s advisor, however, you should ask the parents:

If you are not here, how will the child be cared for with no existing financial resources?

Who will be responsible?

Who will he call?

Will disinheriting him place a financial burden on your other children, or will they be able to walk away?

Establishing a Trust

Rather than disinheriting him, a common solution is to establish a trust that includes him as a permissible beneficiary – or is only for his benefit during his lifetime. The hard decision, however, is who will serve as trustee after both parents die. Parents are understandably reluctant to place that burden on their other children or on other relatives.

If there are significant assets, then choosing a corporate trustee is the simple choice. The other children or trusted friends or advisors can then have the right to remove or replace that trustee during the trust duration. If there are not sufficient assets to warrant a corporate trustee, then the parents must identify friends or trusted advisors – who should be paid for their services. The trustee should review the trust document to ensure that he has the right to resign from his office, and understand the mechanism for subsequent trustee appointments. The document should provide the trustee with the authority to expend funds for purposes such as counseling, detectives, drug testing, and private security.

Trust Terms and Provisions

After deciding on the line of succession and identifying who will operate the trust, parents need to focus on the various purposes for which the trustee may or may not distribute income and/or principal from the trust to the beneficiary.

If the beneficiary is likely to require government assistance, then the terms of the trust must contemplate that. The trust document may also give the trustee authority to withhold payments if deemed advisable. This is often preferable to asking that trustee to determine whether a beneficiary is drug-free. Those suffering from substance abuse can be clever, and making such a determination is tricky.

Rather than withholding payments, another approach is to provide the beneficiary with incentives for staying clean. The trustee could provide additional distributions if the child holds a full-time job or regularly attends counseling sessions. Making the distribution provisions restrictive and under the trustee’s sole control can help protect those assets from the troubled child’s creditors, or from any of the many “friends” and acquaintances who might take advantage of him if they believe there is money in his pocket.

Many parents have a sense of shame or denial, and may rightly choose not to make these troubles public, or put them in a trust document that others can access. I encourage parents to write an annual side letter to the trustee that describes their observations and offers details that they are reluctant to share while living. This letter could be placed in a sealed envelope, kept with the original estate planning documents, and updated/revised as circumstances change. It can be comforting to the trustee to understand more about the parents’ goals and objectives from their own voice.

Planning for the beneficiary with a substance abuse issue is complex and can have consequences that affect the entire family. Remind parents that life is a movie, not a snapshot. A plan created now should be good enough to handle today’s circumstances, yet flexible enough to contemplate the unknown. Encourage parents who are dealing with this difficult situation to revisit their plan every few years as circumstances change and evolve.

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

One of the most effective ways to educate donors and help them achieve financial literacy is through sustained and focused donor education programs. The process of understanding the power of philanthropy and how it works best for a donor’s goals and objectives takes time. When donors learn together, share their ideas and understand what other donors have done and are doing, they become more comfortable with the process.

Donor education programs which focus on philanthropy and related topics, such as financial issues for women, can teach both men and women how to achieve the joy of giving while living. Your institution can incorporate into the donor education event faculty and student presentations which integrate messages into the mission of your institution. These programs can help differentiate/distinguish your institution and create deeper relationships with donors, alumnae, and alumni spouse (Women’s Philanthropy Institute 2009, 15). (8)

Effective donor education, combined with financial literacy, can also provide networking opportunities. Associating with women of similar financial standing increases their willingness to use their money to leave a legacy. This is especially relevant for women who are learning to be comfortable with their wealth. Many baby boomer women in this country will inherit twice—once from their parents and once from their spouse. Nevertheless, donors will not give until they know that they can take care of themselves first. As an estate planning attorney, the most common question I hear from a new widow is, “Do I have enough money to live on?” (Of course that question should be asked many years before that moment in time.) Taking the time to systematically educate your women donors, to help them achieve financial literacy, to teach them that by gifting they can reap both current and future rewards will help empower them to act when they receive their “double inheritance.”

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

A rather unique attempt at protecting assets in a lawsuit. Thought you might find it interesting. What do you think of Mr. Goodman’s solution? Leave your comments below.

By Michael Inbar

A wealthy Florida man has set off a firestorm by legally adopting his 42-year-old girlfriend as he prepares for a potentially costly wrongful death suit.

John Goodman, 49, founder of the Tony International Polo Club in Wellington, Fla., was involved in a crash on Feb. 12, 2010 that killed 23-year-old Scott Patrick Wilson. Local police say Goodman ran a stop sign while driving with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit in Florida.

While Goodman faces criminal charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident that carry a possible 30-year prison term in a trial set for March 6, he also faces a civil suit from William and Lili Wilson over the death of their son. That trial is set to begin March 27.

In recently released court documents, the Wilsons learned that Goodman had legally adopted his girlfriend Heather Hutchins in October. Attorneys for the Wilsons say it was a blatant move to protect his assets.

“It cannot go unrecognized that [Goodman] chose to adopt his 42-year-old girlfriend as opposed to a needy child,” The Palm Beach Post newspaper quoted family attorney Scott Smith as saying.

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Glenn Kelley had previously ruled a trust fund Goodman had established for his two minor children could not be considered an asset in any court-rewarded damages to the Wilson family. Now, with Hutchins also considered Goodman’s daughter, she is entitled to one-third of the trust fund, and as an adult over 35 she can begin drawing money from the fund immediately.

Judge Kelley was critical of Goodman’s move in his order granting the Wilson family the right to information regarding the adoption. Kelley said the adoption “border(s) on the surreal,” The Palm Beach Post reported.

“The Court cannot ignore reality or the practical impact of what Mr. Goodman has now done,” Judge Kelley wrote. “The Defendant has effectively diverted a significant portion of the assets of the children’s trust to a person with whom he is intimately involved at a time when his personal assets are largely at risk in this case.”

While Goodman’s move has tongues wagging on the society scene in south Florida, a state adoption expert told WPEC-TV in West Palm Beach that Goodman adopting his girlfriend may not be strictly legal.

“Adoption means the act of creating the legal relationship between parent and child where it did not exist,” adoption attorney Charlotte Danciu told the station.

“Unless you intend to create the parent-child relationship, you are violating the letter of the law.”

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

I participated in this article and wanted to share it because it has some great information about the prenup process. Enjoy!

By Kathleen Kingsbury (a Reuters contributor. The opinions expressed are her own.)

NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) – With a flurry of Valentine’s Day marriage proposals over, it could be time for new fiancees to take a financial reality check.

Four million Americans got engaged on Tuesday, as estimated by an American Express survey released in January. Unromantic as it may seem, everyone needs a frank conversation about finances before they walk down the aisle, including one that touches on
whether or not to sign a prenuptial agreement.

“All marriages terminate, whether it is in divorce or death,” says Patricia Annino, a Boston-based attorney and estate planner. “Signing a prenuptial agreement is assurance your assets go where you want them to.”

Money issues are one of the most commonly cited reasons for marital strife. So, adding a candid financial assessment to one’s wedding to-do list might go a long way toward minimizing disagreements down the road.

WHO SHOULD SIGN A PRENUP

A common misconception about prenups is that they only apply if one partner brings in significantly more assets to a marriage, or in the case of May-December romances, where there’s a wide age gap. But they should also be considered by those marrying in
mid-career, or those remarrying.

“Statistics tell us that couples are marrying later in life, after they’ve had careers and separately built their own wealth. Or people are marrying for the second or third time,” says Steve Hartnett, associate director of education at the American Academy of Estate
Planning Attorneys. “These are the exact situations where prenups are critical.”

Equally important are situations where there are children from a previous marriage. “Parents will often want to be sure their children are provided for in case of their death, ” says Elaine Morgillo, a certified financial planner in North Andover, Massachusetts.

For younger couples, prenups are often sought when one partner stands to receive a large inheritance or holds a stake in a family business. Morgillo recalls one couple who had never been married and had similar incomes, but the bride-to-be expected an inheritance and the groom owned several rental properties.

“Inheritances aren’t always sacred, but she wanted hers protected and it helps to show intent,” Morgillo says. “She knew he felt the same way about his properties.”

GROWING IN POPULARITY

When her boyfriend of six years sat her down on their living room couch last Valentine’s Day, Christen Petitt Hailey thought she was about to get a vacuum cleaner. Instead, he proposed and the Tampa, Florida, couple were married last November.

“Before we were married, we came up with an arrangement where I always covered the mortgage and utilities, and she paid for groceries or entertainment,” says Shaun Hailey, 36, a mortgage underwriter. “She had slightly less income, so this division seemed to work out to be the fairest.”

Indeed, this kind of ad hoc divvying up is how most modern couples handle their finances. Many are realizing this might not be the smartest route, however.

“We like to say marriage vows today have become ‘love, honor, merge your finances,'” says Anthony Fittizzi, a wealth advisor for U.S. Trust, which recently launched a financial empowerment program to counsel clients ages 20 to 35. “Couples don’t necessarily take into account issues like the start-up costs of marriage, insurance, cash management or dividing property.”

Fittizzi’s motto: Sign on the bottom line before you say “I do.” Nearly a third of single Americans said they would ask their significant other for a prenup, according to a February 2010 poll by Harris Interactive. A second poll, by the American Academy of Matrimonial
Lawyers, found that 73 percent of divorce attorneys had seen an increase in prenups signed from 2005 to 2010, with more women initiating the process than ever before.

No doubt the high divorce rate has made prenups more acceptable, but the economy may be playing a role, too.

“With this uncertain economy, there is more insecurity about assets,” says Arlene Dubin, a New York City attorney and author of the book “Prenups for Lovers: A Romantic Guide to Prenuptial Agreements.” “Clients see prenups as vital to protecting what they’ve
built.”

MAKING A PRENUP STICK

Prenups generally cover real estate, estate planning, division of bank accounts, and alimony, in case the marriage should end. Child custody or support can’t be included, and protecting retirement or pension benefits may require extra steps. There are also steps that
should be taken to ensure that the prenup holds up in court. These include:

POPPING THE (PRENUP) QUESTION EARLY

Many lovebirds might find asking their betrothed to sign a prenup awkward, but waiting until the last minute can backfire. “You shouldn’t be bringing it up in the limo on the way to the church,” says Evan Sussman, a Beverly Hills-based divorce attorney. “From a
legal standpoint, you don’t want the other person to be able to claim duress later.” Sussman recommends the subject be broached before wedding invitations go out, or at least several weeks before the event.

AVOIDING FINANCIAL INFIDELITY

Prenups aren’t for every couple, but considering one often brings forth key financial questions that bring more honesty into a marriage. A 2010 poll by the non-profit CESI Debt Solutions found 80 percent of spouses spent money their partner didn’t know about.

Some attorneys recommend asking for a credit report. At the very least, Dubin says, “You need a line-by-line statement of assets and liabilities so you can deal with the ramifications.” Student loans, credit card balances, and IRS liens are some of the debts a spouse can later be held responsible for.

Still, Dubin says, “Before you start this process, prepare yourself for whatever may come. And know at what point you’d have to walk away.” The same, of course, goes for asking for a prenup and having your partner turn you down.

RETAINING SEPARATE LAWYERS

A second means to challenge a prenup in court is if the couple are not represented by separate attorneys. This is to guarantee that one spouse, usually the less-wealthy partner, is not taken advantage of.

“Imagine if Mark Zuckerberg wanted to marry his housekeeper who didn’t speak English and he insisted she sign a prenup,” Hartnett says. “Having a competent lawyer on both sides of the table means each party gets a fair agreement.”

That said, when choosing legal representation, be sure the attorney you choose understands this is the start of a marriage, not the end.

“When a lawyer is overly adversarial, it can lead to a lot of distrust and ‘do you love me’ questions,” says Cicily Maton, partner at the Chicago firm Aequus Wealth Management. “You should choose an advocate, but do your due diligence about their style.”

Of course, prenuptial agreements can always be renegotiated as a marriage evolves. “The first draft can always be torn up,” says Ginita Wall, a San Diego-based certified financial planner. “I had one set of clients on the sixth iteration of their prenup when they decided to divorce.”

For the Haileys, being engaged meant much financial discussion. They chose in marriage to keep all their finances separate, including their tax filings. They didn’t opt for a prenup, but “getting it all out on the table upfront means no surprises,” Shaun Hailey says.

Instead, he says, “We can concentrate on saving for the important things, like a honeymoon.” (Editing by Jilian Mincer, Bernadette Baum and Andrew Hay)

Patricia Annino is a sought after speaker and nationally recognized authority on women and estate planning. She educates and empowers women to value themselves and their contributions in order to ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS in the world – and in so doing PROTECT THEMSELVES, those they love, and the organizations they care about. Annino recently released an updated version of her successful book, Women and Money: A Practical Guide to Estate Planning to include recent changes in the laws that govern how we protect our assets during and beyond our lifetime. To download Annino’s FREE eBook, Estate Planning 101 visit, http://www.patriciaannino.com.

“Patricia Annino’s book and presentation of, Women and Money, is an engaging discussion of the many legal issues surrounding financial health and wellbeing that women need to know. Through the use of relevant examples, Ms. Annino keeps the “discussion” a lively learning experience. This book, and Ms. Annino’s programs, are a must for women, regardless of their financial capacity!”

Candace HorterUniversity of Oregon

“Patricia presented a dynamic estate planning lecture during a luncheon with the university’s UO Women membership, in Portland, OR, and then addressed a group of development and estate planning professionals at an afternoon reception. The woman has endless energy and enthusiasm for her topic. At both events, our guests were impressed by Patricia’s programs.”

Kim RosenbergRosenbaum Financial

“Thank you VERY much for your outstanding presentation last night to the Estate Planning Council in Portland, OR. I thought your speech was spot on and well presented. It was especially meaningful to me because I have started drafting a book. Many of the stories you highlighted gave me much food for thought.”

Linda ManciniBristol, NH

Og Mandino, Norman Vincent Peale and now comes Patricia Annino. I must admit when I first picked up Cracking the Code I thought, what could I gain from such a short book? A lesson learned, never judge a book by it’s cover………..or size! Cracking the Code contains the key principles for health, wealth and happiness.

Barbara ReinholdEasthampton, MA

As an executive/career coach who has worked with women from Fortune 50 companies to entrepreneurs and artists, I could not recommend Annino’s book more highly. She is a no-nonsense tax-estate attorney with a gentle touch, eager to share what she has learned from watching women of all ages sell themselves short when it comes to money.

Laura ColinAuthor

As an author, I loved the format. It’s easy to read with practical solutions to some common problems for women in family business. As the book shows, you don’t have to take a paycheck to experience the challenges in a family business. Wish I’d had this little jewel 20 years ago when I married a man with loads of family business issues!!! Congrats to the authors.

George F. BurnsPortland, ME

A very helpful and practical guide, based on real experience with both the problems and solutions posed by the complexities of families and business

Judy D.Securities, Inc.

We survey our attendees at the end of the School of Life. On a scale of 1(lowest) to 5(highest), Patricia received a 4.73 from 90 respondents and was among our top speakers. In addition, Patricia was named numerous times in the comment section of “What topics did you find most useful?”

~Ralph J. RotmanCLU, ChFC, AEP

Patricia spoke to a group of women at our Temple in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Patricia has an ability to cover a broad range of topics concerning money and estate planning and motivates her audience to take action. The response from her speech was outstanding as she really engaged the audience.

Patricia Annino was superb. She blends knowledge with humor and the audience really responds. She is skilled at making technical information easy to understand. Women and Money is a must read — Patricia is a must see.